Jim Albanese: City's first Hebbron a dynamo

1:10 AM,
Dec. 3, 2012

James Richard Hebbron, the Grand Old Man of the Rodeo.

Written by

Jim Albanese
The Wayback Machine

London's glistening Crystal Palace, purpose-built to host the 1850-51 Grand Exposition - recorded history's first world's fair - was buzzing like a beehive of clichés. Queen Victoria and her entourage were there.

But the frenzy really began when Waterloo hero, Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington and conqueror of Napoleon, entered the room. The old warrior was besieged by admirers in one of his last public appearances before his death in 1852.

The crowd swarmed over His Grace and threatened to smother the old fellow with its affection. ...